About the Boone and Crockett Club

The history of the Boone and Crockett Club is a tale of over 100 years of measured and thoughtful commitment to conservation. It is a commitment that balances human needs with wildlife needs; a commitment that sees deep value in preserving the hunting tradition, as well as in conserving wildlands and wildlife; a commitment that grows out of a powerful love of wildlife, but that is also shaped by a common-sense, business-like approach to managing natural resources.

By the turn of the century, unrestricted killing of wildlife for markets, pioneer settlement of the West, and Native American/government conflict had taken their toll on most North American big game populations, and on many species of bird and fish. At that time, a national conscience that opposed the destruction of America's wildlife and natural resources was in its infancy.

Theodore Roosevelt was a firsthand witness to the near decimation of one of our nation's most valuable resources -- its wildlife. When he committed himself to restoring America's wildlands he did so with characteristic zeal. Founding the Boone and Crockett Club was one of his first steps. Working with Club Members George Bird Grinnell, General William Tecumseh Sherman, Gifford Pinchot, and twenty other visionaries comprised of outdoor sport enthusiasts, scientists, military and political leaders, explorers, artists, writers and industrialists, the foundation for the world's greatest conservation system was laid.

Over the next several decades, Theodore Roosevelt, along with members such as Aldo Leopold and J.N. "Ding" Darling, championed the passage of laws, the establishment of institutions, and the designation of wildlands which today make up our nation's conservation system. The National Forest, the National Park, and the National Wildlife Refuge Systems exist today in large part because of the extensive efforts of the Club and its dedicated membership.

It's been over 100 years since Theodore Roosevelt formed a coalition of gentlemen hunters to establish the foundation for the World's greatest conservation system.

Knowing he could not accomplish this daunting task alone, he invited men of science, business, industry, politics, and public service to join him in forming the Boone and Crockett Club.

Develop the next generation of conservation leaders through our endowed professorships, the Conservation Leadership Institute and grants-in-aid programs for young professionals;

Train tomorrow's conservation leaders through excellence in conservation education, field programs, teacher training, and professional enhancement;

Continue a century-long commitment of strengthening the hunters' role in conservation through leadership in hunting ethics.

Today, more than ever, the Boone and Crockett Club needs your help. Please join us by:

Becoming a Boone and Crockett Associate or Lifetime Associate.

Making a charitable donation.

Remembering the Boone and Crockett Club in your estate plan and becoming a member of the Roughriders Society.

The Future of Wildlife Conservation

By 2050, the nation's human population is projected to be more than 400 million, about 43% greater than today. As a result:

Demand for most natural resources, especially those on public lands, will increase dramatically

Nearly all natural resources will likely become scarcer relative to demand

Intense competition especially for public natural resources can be expected, as private land is developed and becomes less available for public use

Remaining private land habitat will become increasingly important to wildlife conservation

Advocates for exclusive use of public resources — both preservation and development — will likely increase their efforts

Special interest groups and advocacy can be expected to increase

Wildlife and opportunities for hunters will increasingly be caught in the crossfire between development and preservationist forces

The next decade is recognized as critical for wildlife as the die is being cast for its future. Against this backdrop hunter/conservationist groups face the challenge of those intent upon stopping those who have always done the most for wildlife — hunters. It should not come as a surprise that, in spite of the great successes in restoration of wildlife in the past, the changing structure of our society makes it more important than ever before for wildlife managers and hunter/conservationists to work together more effectively in order to build on the successes achieved in the past.